What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedNever Say Never Again
Film · 1983
If you loved Never Say Never Again, start with Thunderball (Terence Young, 1965) — a film from the same story. Below: 3 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Never Say Never Again across media.
What hooked you in Never Say Never Again is the high-stakes dance between suave espionage and the personal vendettas driving the world's most dangerous operatives.
Start with the source
The source
Thunderball
Terence Young · Film · 1965
Books on the same thread
James Bond
Ian Fleming · Book · 1953
Shares a thread with Never Say Never Again: Espionage.
If you enjoyed the classic tension of Never Say Never Again, these original Ian Fleming novels provide the definitive blueprint for the sophisticated, gadget-fueled world of 007.
Diamonds are Forever
Ian Fleming · Book · 1965
Shares 2 threads with Never Say Never Again: Revenge, Espionage.
The dynamic between Bond and Tiffany Case mirrors the shifting loyalties found in Never Say Never Again, grounding high-stakes international crime in sharp, witty, and intimate character interactions.
Shibumi
Trevanian · Book · 1983
Shares a thread with Never Say Never Again: Revenge.
Fans of the revenge-driven narrative in Never Say Never Again will appreciate how this thriller centers on an assassin caught in a lethal game of corporate and personal retribution.
Series on the same thread
The Avengers
Sydney Newman · Series · 1961
Shares a thread with Never Say Never Again: Espionage.
This series captures the same quintessential British spy charm present in Never Say Never Again, pairing an urbane gentleman agent with capable partners to defeat diabolical global threats.
MacGyver
Lee David Zlotoff · Series · 1985
Shares a thread with Never Say Never Again: Espionage.
Like Bond in Never Say Never Again, MacGyver relies on his wits to solve desperate crises, proving that a clever operative is always the most dangerous weapon in espionage.
SPY x FAMILY
Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Never Say Never Again: Espionage.
While lighter in tone than Never Say Never Again, this series expertly plays with the secret identities and hidden motives that define the lives of elite undercover intelligence agents.
Burn Notice
Matt Nix · Series · 2007
Shares a thread with Never Say Never Again: Espionage.
Much like the protagonist of Never Say Never Again, this blacklisted spy must navigate a treacherous landscape while using his unique training to survive and settle the score.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Rest Is Classified
Podcast
Explores: Cold War, Intelligence agencies, Covert operations.
For those fascinated by the Cold War atmosphere in Never Say Never Again, this podcast offers a deep, authentic exploration of the real-life covert operations and intelligence agency secrets.
The Big Picture
Podcast
Explores: Hollywood, Awards Season, Film Criticism.
This show provides the expert film analysis you crave after watching Never Say Never Again, offering deep dives into the cinematic history and cultural impact of the spy genre.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Never Say Never Again a remake of Thunderball?
Yes, Never Say Never Again is a 1983 adaptation that covers the same primary plot as the 1965 film Thunderball. Both movies center on James Bond attempting to recover two stolen atomic warheads from the organization SPECTRE and its operative Largo.
What is the main conflict in Never Say Never Again?
In Never Say Never Again, James Bond must stop the organization SPECTRE from using two stolen atomic warheads for nuclear blackmail. Bond faces the villain Largo while receiving assistance from Largo's girlfriend, Domino, who seeks revenge against him for her own personal reasons.
Should I watch Thunderball if I enjoyed Never Say Never Again?
If you enjoyed Never Say Never Again, you should watch Thunderball to see the original film adaptation of the same story. Both versions feature the mission to defeat Largo and recover the nuclear weapons, allowing you to compare how each production handles the plot and characters.
Does Domino appear in both Never Say Never Again and Thunderball?
Yes, the character Domino appears in both films. In Never Say Never Again, she is portrayed as the willowy girlfriend of Largo who eventually turns against him to help Bond, a role that remains consistent with the narrative established in the original Thunderball adaptation.